Stove with folding cover



April 13, 1954 R. BURY 2,674,990

STOVE WITH FOLDING COVER Filed March 6, 1950 IN VEN TOR. Par/Ki}? ,8 av

Patented Apr. 13, 1954 muses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STOVE WITH FOLDING COVER Ralph Bury, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to O'Keefe & Merritt Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application March 6, 1950,'Serial No. 147,793

Claims. 1

This invention relates to a stove with a folding cover, it being a general object of the invention to provide a cook stove of this general type ineluding an improved dependable easily operated supporting means that serves to effectively support an element of the cover in an up position and horizontally disposed where it may be used as a shelf.

The present invention is practical as applied to a cook stove such as is used for domestic purposes and in its preferred form it is applied to a stove having a box-like body with a flat top where cooking elements are located. A guard projects upwardly at the back of the body and a substantial distance above the top of the body, and a sectional cover is hinged to the upper rear portion of the structure formed by the guard and body. The cover is sectional and involves a rear section hinged where the body and guard connect and a front section hinged to the forward edge portion of the rear section. When the cover is down the sections are in a common horizontal plane and cover the top of the body and when the cover is up the rear section is up and against the front of the guard while the front section extends horizontally forward from the upper edge portion of the rear section and is in position to form a shelf. In a folded position the rear section of the cover is up and against the front of the guard while the front section is folded down and is against the rear section. The structure provided for releasably holding the cover in the up position preferably involves a unit at each end portion of the cover and each such unit involves a collapsible brace which in its preferred form has two arms pivotally connected together. Of the two arms the outermost is slidably pivotally connected to the front section of the cover. The innermost arm is pivoted to the rear section of the cover at a fixed point. A stop means limits pivotal movement between the brace arms when they have passed over center from a folded position where they are substantially parallel, and when the arms are in the over center position and are sub stantially end to end, and the outer arm is at the forward end of its movement relative to the front cover section, the brace serves a an effective support holding the front section in a horizontal position. A latch means releasably couples the inner arm of the brace to the guard so that the cover is held back or against the guard. The latch means preferably involves a latch member continuing rearward from or beyond the point of pivotal connection with the rear cover section and the latch member has a latch head that hooks with or engages a keeper carried on or fixed to the A general object of the present invention is to provide a releasable support of the general character referred to characterized by an over center lever mechanism and which is so coupled and related to the cover sections as to support the front section in an up position so that it is firmly and dependably held in that position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the general character referred to which is simple and compact and which may be located at an end of the cover without materially encumbering the cover and without being unsightly or in any manner disagreeable or undesirable as a part of the stove.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure of the general character referred to which is simple and convenient to operate, both to engage so that the front cover section is supported in the up position and to release the front.

t cover section from the up position to allow it to be either folded against the rear cover section or down to a position where it overlies the top of the stove body.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a typical cook stove of the domestic type showing a sectional.

cover supported in the up position by the structure provided by the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and showing parts broken away to illustrate details of construction; 'Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1, showing the cover in a downposition.

Figv 4 is an end elevation of parts shownin Fig.2..

showing the cover in a folded position. Fig 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indi cated by line 5--5 on Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is an en-.

3 wardly at the rear of the body and having a folding sectional cover C which is operable between a down position where it covers the top of the body A, an up position where it has a section forming a shelf, and a folded position where its sections are folded together and against the guard.

The body A is shown as having a front It, ends II, a back I 2 andaitop 13. The front Ill isoccupied largely by closures for usual stove compartments and a panel carrying suitable controls. The top I3 is provided with a plurality of cooking elements in the form of burners and agriddle.

The guard B is fixed to and is, in eifect, a part of the body A and it extends "upwardly therefrom to the rear of the body. In the particular form of the invention illustrated the guard B has a front vertical panel l5, 2. horizontally disposed rearwardly projecting top flange I6 at the upper edge of the panel l5, and vertically disposed rearwardly projecting end flanges I! at the ends of the panel l5. .These parts form a rrearwardly opening shallow box-like structure that is *rigid and which is ofthe'des'ired size and shape. In practice this element of thestove is commonly employed to carry or to form a support for various attachmentsor-accessories as may be desired. Itis-to be understood thatthe present invention contemplates that the guard may be :used in any suitable manner, or as a support for any parts orequipment that maybe required.

-"-Phe cover C is a sectional cover pivotallyconnected to the unit formed by the body A and guardC. 'In the particular case illustrated the cover C involves a front section 29 and a rear section -21 which sections are pivotally connectedtogether'by-ahinge means 22. The cover is pivotally mounted by hinge means 23 which connect the rear section of the cover to :the stove structure formed by the body-and guard. The means 2-3 connects the cover-to the stove at the corner formed by the'body and guard. In-the particular case illustrated the means 23 involves a hinge construction that is-carried by the guard adjacent thepoint where the guard joins the body. The hinge means 22 connecting the cover sections jo'insth-e forward edge portion of the rear section '21 and the rear edge portion of the front section 20.

With the general arrangement and com'bination of parts just described the cover is operable between a :down .or working position such as is shown in Fig. 3 where the sections and 2| are in a common horizontal p'laneandoverlie the top l3 of body A to effectively cover it, and an up position such as is shown in Fig. 2 where the section 21 projects upwardly and is adjacent the front .of the guard B while 'thejfront section 20 is horizontally .disposed and projects forw-ardfrom the up er edgeof section 2!. The covercan'be further operated to a folded position such as is shown'in Fig. '4 where the front section is .down from the position shown in Fig. '2 and,is adjacent therearsection 2.! whichjs against the guardlB. In practice thecover sections 2!! and 2! arepreferablylike plain. flat rectangular elements elongate in .form and extending lengthwise of .the stove. In the particular case illustrated each cover ,section is formed'by a panel 30 and dependingedge Ormarginal flanges3l which construction serves to provide ample strength and rigidity while maintaining .a light, inexpensive construction.

The present invention provides means D forreleasably supporting the cover in the up position shown i11T'Eigs."1.,and 2 of thedrawings. A .pre-

and a means 39 slidably pivotally connects the outer end of the outer arm 36 to the outer section 20. A stop means 40 limits relative pivotal ."movement between the arms 35 and 36 and a latch means 4! releasably connects the inner arm '3-5with the guard B.

The arms 35 and 38 may be simple, straight, rigid elements of substantially equal length and their inner or adjoining ends are pivotally connected together by the means 31. When the arms are in operating position, asshowniinflig. 2 they are substantiallyinline or end to end, being but slightlyover center beyond a directly aligned position-in which over center position they are stopped by the means 40. The'means 13:1 preferably permanently connects the arms and 136 and may -involve a simple pivot pin. .Stop means iii is shown as involving a simple extension on the inner end of one of the arms which extension carries :a tlug dli which overlies and engages the other arm vto'linn'it or stop pivotal 'movement between the arms. In the particular case illustrated the extension 45 is on the inner arm 35 and the lug liioverlies arm '36.

The means '38 pivotally connects the outer or rear end portion of arm 35 to the rear section 21 of the cover ata point substantially midway between thetwo'longitudinal edges of the cover. The arm '35 is so pivoted to the cover section 2i and isso related thereto as to be movable'between an inactive position such as is shown in Fig. 3 where it extends parallel with the end flange 3| of the cover section 2| and is immediately adjacent thereto, a folded position where it is substantially parallel with the end flange 31 of section 2|, as shown in Fig. 4, and an operating position as shown in Fig. 2 where it is angularly related to the cover section'zl and projects upward and forward -from the point where the means 38 connects it with the section 2|. The arm 35 is'of such length as to be confined to the end of section '2! when in the positions shown in'Figs. 3 and 4, so that it does not project up beyond the folded cover when the cover is folded as shown in Fig. 4.

The means 39 slidably pivotally connects the arm 36tothe end of cover section .20 and in the preferred-construction it involves aguide 5t fixed on the endiiange 3| of the cover section 2t, which guide'has a slot-'5! that extendsparallel with the flange *3! to'Which-the guide is attached. A slide 52 :is fixed on the outer end of arm .36 and slidably operates in the guide slot 5 I. The guide slot 51 ,is of such length and is so located as to allow the s1icle52 to freely operatebetween positions such as are shown in "Figs. 2 and .3. When the cover is down,.as shown inFig. ,3, the arms 55 and 36 are .end to end and parallel and the cover sections ,are edge to edge in ahorizontal p-laneso that the front section. 2!) is in. a maximum forward position. With this relationship of parts the s1ideI52 is l0cated.in the .rearend portion of the guide .slot 5!. Whenthemeans D is in operatinaposition withthearmstiand 36 slightly over center and stopped by the means 40 and extending diagonally upward from the pivotal mounting 38, the slide 52 is in the forward end of the slot 5|. It is preferred, in practice, to provide a lateral opening or notch 55 in the slide 5| at the forward end thereof to releasably hold the slide 52 at that end of the slot when the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 2.

When the notch 55 is employed the slide can be released therefrom by a slight lifting of the forward edge of the section from the position shown in Fig. 2 preliminary to otherwise manipulating the mechanism as will be hereinafter described.

The latch means 4| serves to releasably connect the cover and the means D thereby to the guard B with the cover in the up position shown in Fig. 2. In the preferred form of the invention the latch means 4| involves an extension 50 on the rear end of arm 35. The latch extension has a head or lug 6| at its projecting end. The lug 6| is engageable with a keeper Or striker plate 62 which is carried by or which may be a part of the guard B. In the particular case illustrated the latch extension 60 of arm 35 is of substantial length and enters an opening 65 in the panel |5 of the guard and the striker plate 52 is at the inner side of the panel I5. The plate 62 is shown as being a part of a suitable bracket construction 66 which is suitably attached to the panel |5 at the inner side thereof and in register with the opening 65. In the particular case illustrated a counterbalancing means G is provided in connection with the cover to partially counteract or counterbalance the weight of the cover construction. The particular means G shown in the drawings involves an arm it projecting from the inner edge portion of cover section 2| and a tension spring 16 which has one end fixed to arm H1 and the other end fixed at T! to the rear portion of the stove body A.

When the cover C is down as shown in Fig. 3 the cover sections 20 and 2| are in a common horizontal plane and effectively cover the top |3 of body A. With the cover in this position the arms of each of the units of means D are in substantial alignment with and against the end flanges 3| of the cover sections and the slides of the arms 36 are at the rear ends of the slots 5|.

To establish the cover in the up position shown in Fig. 2 the cover sections are moved so that the rear section is up and against the front of the guard while the front section is horizontally disposed. As the covers are moved to this position the arms of the units D are moved to the working position shown in Fig. 2 and the latch means 4| engage the guard holding the rear section against the guard. When positioned as shown in Fig. 2 the slides 52 are in the forward ends of the slots 5| and the arms 35 and 36 are slightly over center so the supporting structure will remain in operating position. To release the means D either to lower the cover to the position shown in Fig. 1 or to the folded position shown in Fig. 4 the slides 52 are disengaged from the notches 55 and the pivotal connection betweenthe arms 35 and 36 is swung rearwardly or in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, which operations disengage the latches 4| allowin free movement of the parts to either of the positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A stove including, a box shaped body having a guard projecting upwardly at the rear thereof and having a striker plate thereon, a cover including front and rear sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally connecting the rearmost edge portion of the rear cover section to the body adjacent the base portion of the guard, the cover sections being operable between a down position Where they are in a common horizontal plane and cover the top of the body and an up position where the rear section is up at the front of the guard and the front section projects horizontally forward from the uppermost portion of the guard, and means carried by the cover and adapted to support the cover in the up position including, a folding brace having arms pivotally connected together and to each of the sections of the cover, one of the arms having a projecting portion with a hook at its outer end adapted to engage the striker plate on the guard when the cover sections are in the up position.

2. A stove including, a box shaped body having a guard projecting upwardly at the rear thereof, a cover including front and rear sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally connecting the rearmost edge portion of the rear cover section to the body adjacent the base portion of the guard, the cover sections being operable between a down position where they are in a common horizontal plane and cover the top of the body and an up position where the rear section is up at the front of the guard and the front section projects horizontally forward from the uppermost portion of the guard, and means carried by the cover and adapted to support the cover in the up position including, a striker plate on the guard, a folding brace having arms pivotally connected together and one pivotally connected to one of the sections of the cover and the other pivotally connected to the other section of the cover, and means stopping the arms in an over center position where they are substantially end to end and extending diagonally from one section to the other, one of the arms having a projecting portion with a hook adapted to connect to the striker plate on the guard when the cover sections are in the up position.

3. A stove including, a box shaped body having a guard projecting upwardly at the rear thereof and having a striker plate thereon, a cover including front and rear sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally connecting the rearmost edge portion of the rear cover section to the body adjacent the base portion of the guard, the cover sections being operable between a down position where they are in a common horizontal plane and cover the top of the body and an up position where the rear section is up at the front of the guard and the front section projects horizontally forward from the uppermost portion of the guard, and means carried. by the cover and adapted to support the cover in the up position including, a folding brace having arms pivotally connected together and to each of the sections of the cover, and a projection on the arm pivoted to the rear section having a latch part adaptedto engage with the striker on the guard and releasably connecting the cover. to the guard with the cover in the up position.

aerapoo 4. stove including, box :shaped body having a guard projecting upwardly at the rear thereof, theguard having a strikerplate thereon, a cover including front :and rear :sections pivotally connected together, .rneans pivotally connecting the rearmost edge portion of the rear cover section to the body adjacent the base portion of the guard, the :cover sections being :operable between a down position where they are in a common horizontal plane and cover the top of the body and an up position where the rear section 313 up at the'front'of the guard and the front section projects horizontally forward from the uppermost portion of the guard, and means connected to and carried by the cover and adapted to support the cover in the up position including,a folding brace having arms pivotally connected together, one arm being pivotally connected to the frontsection of the cover and the other arm being pivotally connected to the rear section of the cover, and a projection on said other arm having a latch engageable with the plate when the cover sections are in the up position and the rear section vertically disposed and adjacent the guard.

5. A stove including, a box shaped body having a guard projecting upwardly at the rear thereof, a cover, including front andrear sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally connecting the rearmostedge portion of the rear cover sectionto thebody adjacent the base portion of the guard, the cover sections being Op erable between a down position where they are in a common horizontal plane and coverthe top of the body and an up position-Where the rear sec- 7 tion isupi at the frontof the guard-and thefront section projects horizontally forward from the uppermost portion of ,the'guard, and means carried by the cover and adapted to support the cover in the up position including, a striker plate onthe guard, a folding brace-having arms pivotally connected together, one of the arms being pivoted toone rcoiver section and the other being slidably pivoted to the other cover section, one of the arms having a projecting portion adapted to connect to the striker plate on the guard-when the cover sections are in the up position.

6. A stove including, a box shaped body having a guard projecting upwardly at the rear thereof, and having a striker plate thereon, a cover including front andrear sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally connecting the rearmost edge portion of :the rear cover section to the body adjacent thebase portion of the guard, the cover sections being operable between a down position where they are in a common horizontal plane and cover the top of the body and an up -position where the rear section is up at the front of the guard and :the front section projects horizontally forward from the uppermost portion of the guard, and means carried by the cover and adapted to support the cover in the up positionincluding, frontand rear arms, means pivotally connecting'adjoining ends of the arms, means slidably pivotally connecting the outer end of the front arm to the front section of the cover, and means pivotally connecting the rear end of the rear arm to the rear section of the COVBI, the rear arm having an extension adapted to hookto the striker plate on the guard when the cover sections are in the up position.

7. Astoveincluding, a box shaped bodyhaving a guard projecting upwardly at the :rear thereof, a cover including front and rear'sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally icon- 5 necting ithe rearmost edge ,portion of the rear cover section to :the body adjacent the :base. portionof the guard, the cover sections being operablebetween a down position Where they are ;-in a common horizontal plane and cover the topof the body and .an up position where the rear section up .at the front of the guard and the front section projects horizontally forward ,from the uppermost portion of the guard, and means carried by the cover and adapted to support the coverin the up position including, a striker plate on theguard, pivotally connectedfront and rear arms, meanspivotally connectingadjoining ends of the arms, means slidably pivotally connecting the outer end of the front arm to the front section of the cover, means pivotally connecting the rearend of the rear arm to the rear section of the cover, and stop means limiting relative pivotal movement :between the arms with the arms slightly over center from a position where they are in line and extend diagonally between the cover-sections, the rear arm having an extension ,adapted to hook to the striker plate on the guard when the cover sections are in the up position.

8. A stove including, a box shaped body having a guard projecting upwardly at the rear thereof and having a striker plate thereon, a cover including front and rear sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally connecting the rearrnost edge portion of the rear cover section to the body adjacent the base portion :of the guard, the cover sections being operable between a down position where they are in.a common horizontal plane and cover the top of the body and an up position where the rear section is up at the front of .the guard and the front section projecting horizontally forward from the uppermost portionof .theiguard, and means carried by the cover and ,adapted to support the cover in the up position including, front and rear arms, means pivotally connecting adjoining ends of the arms, means slidably pivotallyconnecting the outer ends of the front arm to the front section of thecover, means pivotally-connectingstheouter ends of the front arm to the section of the cover, and an extension .on the rear arm having a hook-shaped terminal end portion cooperatively engaging the striker plate on the guard to hold the rear cover section adjacent ,the guard with the cover sections in the up position.

'9. A stove including, a box shaped body having a guard projecting upwardly atthe rear thereof, a cover including front and rear sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally connecting the rearmost edge portion of the rear cover section'to the body adjacent the base portion of'the guard, the cover sections being operable between a down position where they are in a common horizontal plane and cover the top of the body and an up position where the rear section is up "at the front of the guard and the front section projecting horizontally "forward from the uppermost portion of the guard, and means carried by the cover and adapted to support the cover in the up position including, a striker plate on the guard, front and rear arms, means pivotally connecting adjoining ends of the arms, means sliclably pivotally connecting the outer end of the front arm to the front section of the cover, means pivotally connecting the rear end :of the rear armto the rear section of the cover, stop means'limiting relative pivotal movement between the arms with the arms slightly 9 over center from a position where they are in line and extend diagonally between the cover sections, and an extension on the rear arm having a hook-shaped end portion cooperatively engaging the striker on the guard to hold the rear cover section adjacent the guard with the cover sections in the up position.

10. A stove including, a box shaped body having a guard projecting upwardly at the rear thereof and having a strike plate thereon, a cover including front and rear sections pivotally connected together, means pivotally connecting the rearmost edge portion of the rear cover section to the body adjacent the base portion of the guard, the cover sections being operable between a down position where they are in a common horizontal plane and cover the top of the body and an up position where the rear section is up at the front of the guard and the front section projects horizontally forward from the uppermost portion of the guard, and mean carried by the cover and adapted to support the cover in the up position including, front and rear arms,

means pivotally connecting adjoinin ends of the arms, means slidably pivotally connecting the outer ends of the front arm to the front section of the cover including, a guide on the end of the front cover section and a slide on the front arm and carried by the guide, and means pivotally connecting the rear end of the rear arm to the rear section on the cover, the rear arm having an extension engaging and releasably connected to the striker on the guard when the sections are in the up position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,724,457 Cummings Aug. 23, 1928. 2,044,154 Coulston June 16, 1936 2,262,016 Leonard Nov. 11, 1941 2,332,760 Smallen Oct. 26, 1943 2,503,132 Robinson Apr. 4, 1950 2,566,765 Graham Sept. 4, 1951 

